"Please finish all your worksheets, and once you do, you can start reading your novels," Mr. Hawkins, the 41 year old math teacher, instructed the class. He was a pudgy man with a balding head. Librarian style glasses sat on his nose so low, I was afraid they might fall and break any second. He wore grey slacks and a blue checkered t-shirt with a red tie that had yellow polka-dots on it. Yellow polka-dots, a shame to fashion. I sincerely ask you to not wear polka-dotted neckties.  

        I was seated at one of the desks among the many rows of wood and metal. The scratch of my pencil against the paper provided a steady rhythm as I scrambled to finish the blanks, my mind simultaneously conjuring up answers. 

        Suddenly, the sharp shrill of the phone caught me by surprise. After about a few moments of examining my teacher's expression as he talked on the phone, I decided that it was nothing important, and focused back on my work. Knowing that I wouldn't be able to finish homework at home, I kept on writing, despite the sudden pain shooting up my hand because of the continuous pressure of the pencil upon my fingers. 

        My disinterest was short lived. Mr. Hawkins bellowed in his loud voice, "Class, we are going to be having a new addition to our class. Some of you have probably had the chance to see him as he was on tour around the school. I am hoping everyone gives him a warm welcome." 

        Just as Mr.Hawkins finished, a knock sounded from the door. Mr. Hawkins strode towards the door, and slid it open to reveal a familiar face. "Welcome!" Mr Hawkins exclaimed with a warm smile.

        I suddenly realized where I had seen these particular features before. It's the boy from the field! The one who left his drawstring bag. This works out perfectly because now I can give him his bag back.

        He entered the classroom with a bright smile plastered on his face. Somehow, his smile turned out to be contagious, and I found myself smiling, too. I could see that he was nervous, as he fidgeted with his fingers. He took a quick survey of the room, scanning each face. When his eyes landed on me, a look of familiarity passed over his features. As soon as he realized who I was, he raised his hand and waved. I returned this gesture, and then quickly looked around the classroom to the others. Thankfully, nobody had seen me communicate with the new addition, or otherwise, I would have gotten too much attention; which wouldn't necessarily be a positive notion. These gestures weren't gone completely unnoticed, though. As I glanced to the desk on the left side of me, I caught a pair of eyes glaring at me. Courtney. 

        Courtney did anything she could to prove that she was superior to me, which I did not mind, of course, as it didn't mean anything. Right now, she was sending me vile looks just because I had managed to meet the new addition before her. Wow, this is a first. 

        I really should stop calling him the "new addition". As if he could read my thoughts, Mr. Hawkins spoke up, "Why don't you introduce yourself to everyone?"

        "Sure. Well, hello, everyone. I am Mason. Mason Collins. I, uh, just moved into this neighborhood last night, and I am very excited to start my school year here, at Senior Meadow," Mason told the class, putting his hands into his pockets. At first he seemed a bit nervous, but now he escalated into a laid back position. I couldn't help but notice the way his grey t-shirt hugged his upper body, showing the defined muscles. His black jeans showed off his defined calves, the white Vans completing his outfit. Well, another handsome boy with an amazing physique; I have seen a lot of boys like him. No, I haven't. 

        I quickly shut my mouth, not realizing that it hung open. To my horror, a bit of drool had made its way onto my lip. Scrunching my nose, I instantly wiped it away. I'm dearly sorry if I disgust anyone. I'm a bit of an unorganized person. 

        "Thank you very much, Mason," Mr. Hawkins replied, politely. "We all are looking forward to spending this year with you, and hope that you have a great time. Now, you can take a seat at any of the available desks."

        I watched as Mason held onto the strap of his midnight blue backpack with one hand, and tucked out a chair with the other. He had chosen the seat in front of mine, which was empty. This seat was right in the centre. Centre of attention in specific. Everyone could be able to see you within their peripheral vision, which in my case wouldn't be the most supportive seat. That's why I always avoided that seat, and instead sit in the last row.   

        As soon as Mason settled down, the room burst into a series of whispers, people exchanging opinions about this new student. I didn't have anyone to exchange my own opinions with, but it's not like it mattered to me. I had learned long ago to get accustomed to this fact and be grateful for what I do have.

        Again. Again, I'm pitying myself. I am not weak. I will not cry for my condition. If anything, all this has made me stronger inside, thought me how to start from scratch. I keep on telling myself that there is still hope, but why doesn't my heart grasp on, yet? Why can I not hold onto this ray of light within the enveloping darkness? Each day, I feel my grip loosening, but I have not let go yet. Nobody has ever bothered to look deep into what 'm going through. Nobody bothers to break through the shell I display to strangers.  

        Someone jerked me out of my thoughts. Mason. One of his elbows was resting on the back of the chair, and his was sitting sideways with his head facing towards me. "Earth to April," he said while using his other hand to wave in front of my face.  

        "Hm?" I replied, still distracted. 

        "I thought that maybe it would be very nice of you to talk to me, as I don't want to seem like a loner. You know, not the best impression. Don't you think?" Mason replied teasingly. 

        "Right. Trust me, I'm the last person you want to be caught talking to if you care about your social life this much," I scoffed.

        He laughed. "Don't worry. I'm kidding. My social life is the last thing I possibly care about. I just simply wanted to talk to you, as our previous conversion was cut short."

        "Oh yeah!" I exclaimed, remembering his drawstring bag. "You forgot to take your bag with you."

        "Oh my goodness. How could I be so careless? My phone is in there..." he replied, running a hand over his face. "Is it still beside the tree?"

        I raised an eyebrow at him. "Yes, it still is," I lied, wanting to see his expression. 

        His eyebrows instantly shot up. "I swear, if that bag goes missing, then my parents will not buy me another one because I'm grounded at the moment. It's just going to make them even more mad," he voiced, stressfully. "Also, you are some inconsiderate human!" he exclaimed, faking a gasp.

        "Don't worry. I'm not evil," I replied laughing. "I brought your bag with me. It's in my locker. I'll give it to you once class ends. This is last period anyways, so you don't need to worry about missing any classes." 

        "You seriously had me going there. Thanks for saving my bag and me for that matter," he said sincerely. 

        "No problem," I replied. "By the way, nice shoes. White Vans, I see. Too bad your name isn't Daniel..."

         "Thanks. And I'm glad my name isn't Daniel. I'm not interested in hearing someone repeat the same phrase again and again. A bit annoying, don't you think?"

        Suddenly, Mr. Hawkins blew his whistle, which was an indication to stop talking and getting back on task. 

        "Talk to you later," Mason whispered before turning back, and waiting for Mr. Hawkins to give him his worksheets. 

        I went back to finishing my own worksheets. Little did I know, I would have further encounters with this dramatic, laid-back, charismatic boy.  

ooooo

Rrringgg! Rrrringgg!

        The bell finally rang after what felt like ages. My hand was sore from writing so much, and the back of my neck felt strained from hours of peering at the papers on my desk. 

        I gathered all my belongings, and stood up, pushing in my chair. One of my papers drifted to the ground. Great. I bent down, and caught the paper. When I stood up, my eyes were met with the striking green ones I'd just seen earlier. 

        Mason stood there waiting for me. Everyone else had filed out immediately after the bell. 

        "I'm so sorry. You're going to be late because of me," I said, apologetically. 

        "No, no, it's okay. I don't need to be anywhere right now, anyways," he assured me. 

        We both walked out of the classroom towards my locker. I fumbled with the lock, and after opening it, I retrieved Mason's bag. "Here you go," I said, handing it to him.

        "Thanks," he replied, gratefully.

        "Don't mention it."

        "April, do you live anywhere close to Sugarcone Avenue?" Mason suddenly asked.

        "Yeah, I live in one of the houses that make up the first few yards," I replied. "Why?"

        "Oh, because I just moved there too, and I thought we could walk home together," he stated. "Would you like to?"

        "Sure, why not."

        Just as I had shut my locker, a figure appeared in front of us. 

        Fiery red curls. Tall. Defined cheek bones. Revealing clothes. Eyes with the death glare reserved for me. None other than Courtney. 

        "Hey, Mason," Courtney greeted, battering her fake eyelashes in a sickening flirtatious attempt.

        "Hey," replied Mason. 

        "Welcome to Senior Meadow. I am Courtney. I have to go right now, but I'll see you around! Also, just one more thing," Courtney chirped, and whispered in a very audible voice, "You do not want to hang out with her. She is a freak. Everyone hates her, and I advise you to stay away from her."

        "Uh, thank you, Courtney. But, I think I am capable of choosing my acquaintances," replied Mason, defensively. 

        Courtney flushed a deep shade of red, almost resembling a tomato. "Anyways, bye," Courtney said with a last flirtatious smile, and then dashed off.

        Mason and I burst out laughing and I high-fived him. "You were so good. That was seriously the first time I have seen Courtney get embarrassed like this. She is a tough cookie," I commented, still laughing. 

        "Well, thank you, I try. It's just that she was being so rude. You are a great person. I can't stand rumors like these. If you think her words affected me, then don't worry. I trust my own eyes and ears than others'," he said smiling. "By the way, do you know her? The rivalry seemed quite deep."

        "She's my cousin..."

        "Ah, a hate relationship, I see. And I assume you don't enjoy her presence very much?" he questioned with a hint of amusement. 

        "Nope, not at all."

        "Well, fear not. She doesn't know who she's up against. We can fight her off!" Mason joked.

        "Superhero partners? I like that," I replied. We both smiled at each other. 

        As we both made our way back to our houses, the sun was still high up in the sky, refusing to give away its position high above; counting the seconds before it would need to give into the dark, night sky. Humans aren't much different from this either. We all wait until the time the change comes, and sometimes we refuse to alter our lives or simply just let go and accept it with open hearts. Right now, I let go of my worries and just smiled at this new, yet at the same time, familiar face. It's funny how comfort and understanding is the key to all friendships, and how a stranger can manage to bring a smile to your face, not knowing how much their efforts help; how big of a change their gestures bring to one's life.

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Author's Note:

Thank you so much for reading! It means a lot to me! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Anyways, April just found a superhero partner! Also, sorry for the white Vans and Daniel reference. I just felt compelled to add it for some unknown reason.

That's it for my note, and I hope you have a great day!

- Anika :)